Nature · Sonamarg, Kashmir
Walk or ride to the Thajiwas glacier valley
From the main Sonamarg meadow, a 3–4 km trail climbs gently into the Thajiwas side valley, ringed by peaks with glacier tongues and snowfields. It is the classic Sonamarg outing, on foot or by pony, best done in the morning before cloud and crowds.
Photo: Original: Ganesh Mohan T Derivative work: Unpe… · CC BY 4.0 · CommonsThe trail starts near the main market and follows a stream through meadow and birch woods into the Thajiwas valley. It gains only a little height, so most walkers manage it in about an hour each way. Pony owners wait at the start with rate boards; the official rates cover a return ride with waiting time.
At the head of the valley, snowfields and glacier ice come down close to the meadow, and in early summer the whole valley floor can be white. Sections of glacier ice collapsed in May and June 2024, killing and injuring visitors. Stay off the ice, do not shelter in ice caves, and keep a good distance from overhanging snow and steep faces.
Bring a picnic or buy kahwa and maggi at the stalls near the snow. Sledge operators work the snowfields in early summer; agree rates first. On the way down, look for marmots on the upper slopes and herders' huts in the meadows. Afternoons can turn cloudy and cold, so start early.
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Questions
Before you book
Is the Thajiwas glacier safe to visit?
The walk to the valley is safe, but the ice itself is not. Glacier sections collapsed in 2024, causing deaths and injuries. Stay on the meadow and snow at a distance, avoid ice caves and overhangs, and follow any closure or warning signs from local authorities.
How much does a pony to Thajiwas cost?
Official rates are posted at the pony stand, usually ₹800–1,500 for a return ride with waiting time in recent seasons. Agree the destination and price before setting off. Walking is easy for most people and costs nothing.
When is there snow at Thajiwas?
From about May to June the valley floor usually still has snow, and patches remain on the slopes later. By August it is mostly green with snowfields higher up. In winter the whole area is snowbound and the walk is not practical.